Replating and harvesting agave must be done by hand, as the hearts' size can vary greatly. There are a few cues the plant is fully mature: The bases of the leaves begin to turn yellow, and the ...

The researchers found that agave leaves have an inner core that remains highly hydrated while the outer layer acts as a protective barrier to reduce water loss. WASHINGTON — Agave plants may be ...

The illustration shows an Agave striata leaf and the molecular structure of its fructans, with water molecules bound around the fructan chains.

The process begins with the agave plant. Agave is known for its leathery leaves that range in size from a few centimeters to 8 feet. It is native to hot and dry regions in Mexico, where it can be ...

Researchers used terahertz spectroscopy and imaging to gain new insights into how agave plants are so remarkably adept at retaining water in extremely dry environments.

Using this approach, they found that agave plants survive in dry environments by storing water in a specialized leaf structure and that its fructans act like molecular sponges to retain moisture.